Makeup how-to: foundation 101

LIKE the way an artist prepares his canvas, the secret to looking a million bucks is getting your foundation right.

There are a myriad of products on the market to suit all skin types, and a variety of ways you can apply your foundation. But at the end of the day, what you want is a smooth and flawless finish that looks natural and not caked..

1. Matching your foundation

Choosing the right shade. Swatch from the jaw-line down to your neck.

You want to choose a foundation that matches your skin tone, but it can be a bewildering experience staring down the shopping aisle and wondering how to choose between the stuff that seems to come in every shade imaginable.

Contrary to popular belief, the way to begin is not by doing a colour swatch on your hand or forearm, unless you’re preparing to go to a Halloween party.

Instead, start by looking at the colour of the veins on your forearm. If it appears more blue than green, foundations with beige undertones will suit you better. If your veins appear more green than blue, you want to pick shades with a yellow tint.

Only then do you perform a colour swatch of the shades you think would make the closest match to your skin tone, starting from the jaw-line down to your neck. In good lighting, look in the mirror to decide which colour blends in best.

2. Protect…

Protect and prime your skin. Sunscreen is a must and primers help smoothen your skin.

Unless you have dry skin, it’s not uncommon to give the moisturiser a miss. But resist passing up the sunscreen as the sun’s harmful UV rays can cause pre-mature aging and wrinkles.

SPF stands for sun protection factor, and you want to look for a sunscreen that has an SPF rating of at least 30 or above. Use a generous dollop measuring about a teaspoon, and don’t stinge. The SPF decreases dramatically if less than the prescribed amount is used.

The only time you don’t want to use sunscreen is if you’re heading out to a party at night, or if you know there’s going to be a lot of flash photography. SPF can make your face look really white under harsh bright light.

If you want a flawless easy application, a primer will help smoothen out any harsh lines, hydrate the skin and ensure your foundation stays on longer. All you need to do is smooth it over your face after the sunscreen with your hands.

Product Suggestions

Need: Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer

Want: Makeup Forever HD Primer, Smashbox Photofinish.

3. Tools of the trade

Foundation Paddle Brush

The paddle brush. Simply dab and blend.

A foundation paddle brush is best suited for liquid foundations or cream concealers. Apply the foundation onto the face in short dabbing motions and blend. This creates a perfect, flawless finish.

Product Suggestions

Need: MAC 190, Smashbox #13

Want: Artiste Professional Paddle Foundation Brush.

Stippling Brush

The skunk, or stippling brush. Helps create a flawless but sheer and natural look.

The duo–fibre stippling brush, or skunk as it’s often called, is a handy versatile tool to keep in your makeup arsenal. It’s great for liquid foundations and mineral makeup, and can also be used as a cream blush applicator or a bronzer brush.

When used for applying foundation, the stippling brush helps create a flawless but sheer and natural look.

Squeeze some of the foundation onto the back of your hand, use the brush to stipple (i.e. dab down lightly in an up and down motion) some of the product onto it’s bristles and apply to the face in stippling motions to create a sort of pixel effect. When done, blend the product with only the white bristles moving independently of the black bristles for a smooth finish.

Product Suggestions

Need: MAC 187

Want: Artiste Professional Stippling Brush.

Your hands:

Golden rule when using your hands to apply makeup: make sure your hands are clean.

There’s nothing wrong with using your hands when it comes to applying liquid foundation. It also saves you some money. Just make sure your hands are clean before you begin. Dot and blend. Sometimes, it makes for the most flawless application.

4. Types of foundation

Liquid Foundation

Good foundation should blend easily and provide good coverage.

If you think foundation, you’re probably thinking liquid.

Liquid foundation is great for dry skin and skin needing higher levels of coverage. If you have oily skin, look for foundations that say oil-free to save you from blotting your face incessantly throughout the day.

A good foundation should be neither too thick nor too thin. It should blend easily and give you good coverage from flaws.

Product Suggestions

Need: Revlon Color-Stay Foundation, Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation

Want: Makeup Forever HD Foundation.

Mineral Foundation

The alternative to liquid is mineral foundation. Use a very fluffy and dense synthetic brush to buff the foundation onto your skin.

Mineral foundation provides less coverage, but is probably a healthier alternative for your skin.

These products usually come in loose powder form, and are supposed to be packed with antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and fewer preservatives.

Mineral makeup is most commonly applied with a very fluffy and dense synthetic brush that buffs the makeup onto the skin. Simply swirl your brush into the product, tap off the excess and apply in circular motions. This is also great for oily skin.